Hi, Members. The Atlantic Cape Community College Education Association is holding an overnight workshop on Contract enforcement at Harrah’s in Atlantic City on March 9th and 10th. Our Higher Ed Representative, Chris B., will be leading the workshop. It will be Friday night and Saturday morning. The workshop ends with lunch Saturday. We are holding the sessions in conjunction with the Atlantic County Education Association

The rooms, the food, the socializing, and the training will be first class. This is being paid for by your local Association and by the Atlantic County Association to which we pay dues. After the Friday night session, there will still be time to catch a show. I still remember the good time we had last year watching Jim Usilton spar with Claire Farnum in mock negotiations.

There are a few spaces available because some people had to cancel. We are a little past the deadline so let me know today or tomorrow, if you will attend – January 23, 24, or 25. I apologize for the rush.

Will Parsons wkparsons@comcast.net

The ACCCEA Unity Negotiations Team met with The Administration’s labor negotiator, Joe Rossi, Thursday night, January 18. The ACCCOSAP contract was first. Nick Ganaway and Joe Rossi spent about two hours going over some issues. The two sides got close, but there was no agreement.

Then it was the Culinary contract. In order to reach agreement, minor issues have to “fall off the table” during the process. Bob Goudie used to try to get us to agree at the start that no new proposed changes would be brought up once we started negotiating. New proposals just slow the process. One of the reasons this process is dragging on, is that Joe keeps adding proposals. Thursday night, Joe came to the table with major changes for the Culinary contract. Joe gives lip service to wanting to finish, but his behavior contradicts his words. He does not have his eye on the prize – a fair contract that both sides can live with. No progress was made on the Culinary contract. It was one step back.

Negotiations lasted until 12:15 am. The next negotiations session is Tuesday, January 30, at 4:00 with the Culinary contract. Then, we will meet again, Tuesday, February 6, at 1:00 with Support Staff.

As you can imagine, the Unity Negotiations Team members are disgusted at this lack of progress and this huge waste of time and money. The members are demanding action and the Action Council will meet this week.

Will Parsons, Unity Negotiations Team Coordinator